T's and P's to my dumbass self picking up a 6MT Friday with no 6MT experience

[f80er]

Trial by fire man, you will figure it out.

[///Master]

my coworker did the same when he bought his camaro ss recently. I taught him how to drive a couple days before in my beater car lol.

[DadVibes]

This brought me straight back to when I tried to pull my first car out of the dealer lot at 16 (almost 20 years ago). It was a 5-speed Subaru legacy. I had never driven a manual before and I stalled 18 times (literally) while trying to pull out of the lot.

My dad was in the car behind me and instead of helping I could see him through my rear view mirror, laughing until he cried. It was hilarious, in retrospect.


Anyway... don't fret, once you get the feel for it it will all make sense. I do agree with others, though. You have 2 days, you have to know someone who has a manual near you that you can practice on. Offer to throw them some food/beer money, or something.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by CachacoF80

Can you rent a MT here in the US? I don't think I've ever come across one.

Turo (as others have mentioned).

I bought my wife a $300 Subaru to learn on, so that's an option as well.

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Turo (as others have mentioned).

I bought my wife a $300 Subaru to learn on, so that's an option as well.

One more reason to never Turo your own car!

[DML]

Originally Posted by brocurls

Can't wait for all the stalling, burnt clutch smell, honks, and middle fingers on my 900mi trek home from PCD.

Been "studying" Youtube videos and reading all the previous threads about noob 6mt tips/tricks, but I feel just as unprepared as my last college final 8 years ago.

Ever take a gander at some of the mentally challenged with a stick?? Give it a week you'll be on it like a pro, NOT difficult

[FormulaMMM]

Knew this guy who took an unwitting 1st timer mountain biking on an elite trail in CO. Broke his leg, bike.

This kind of reminds me of that except you're actually opting into the embarrassment, failure, mechanical injury.

I like your style dude.

[FrenchiedadSF]

F80 M3 manual is very easy. Trick is to let out clutch really slowly, and when you get to "critical point" the engine will blip ~250 RPMs, this is your cue to gently push accelerator down and full release (slowly) of clutch.

F80 manual is not a true manual, it is very heavily computer-assisted "manual", its half way driving PDK/DCT and true manual. Sorry for my two cents...

[FrenchiedadSF]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Knew this guy who took an unwitting 1st timer mountain biking on an elite trail in CO. Broke his leg, bike.

This kind of reminds me of that except you're actually opting into the embarrassment, failure, mechanical injury.

I like your style dude.

one is adventurous other is stupid. only one right answer

[FrenchiedadSF]

Originally Posted by S4toM3

This brought me straight back to when I tried to pull my first car out of the dealer lot at 16 (almost 20 years ago). It was a 5-speed Subaru legacy. I had never driven a manual before and I stalled (literally) 18 times while trying to pull out of the lot.

My dad was in the car behind me and instead of helping I could see him laughing until he cried through my rear view mirror. It was hilarious, in retrospect.


Anyway... don't fret, once you get the feel for it it will all make sense. I do agree with others, though. You have 2 days, you have to know someone who has a manual near you that you can practice on. Offer to throw them some food/beer money, or something.

problem is F80 has no feel :x flame suit on

[pbar]

This is why, in the UK, if you take the driving test on an auto you get a license which doesn't allow you to drive a manual transmission car.

[pbar]

Originally Posted by BMWModel3

Seriously?

Yep. This was definitely the case when I took my test. You got a license with a restriction on it.


Edit: Just checked... still true: https://www.gov.uk/automatic-driving-licence-to-manual

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by pbar

Yep. This was definitely the case when I took my test. You got a license with a restriction on it.


Edit: Just checked... still true: https://www.gov.uk/automatic-driving-licence-to-manual

From the website:

If your licence is only for automatic cars, you can upgrade it by passing a driving test in a manual car.

Emphasis on upgrade

[pbar]

Originally Posted by BMWModel3

From the website:

If your licence is only for automatic cars, you can upgrade it by passing a driving test in a manual car.

Emphasis on upgrade

LOL. Manual transmissions are so manly in America! :-)

A bit off topic, but

Yes, it's certainly an "upgrade" in that you have to be competent to do a whole bunch of maneuvers without stalling etc. Reverse parking, 3 point turns on tight roads without hitting the curbs (using the handbrake when changing direction), hill starts without rolling back (at all), emergency stops without losing control, reverse around corners in both direction keeping with 18" of the curb.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national...#element-2-2-5

It's assumed that if you can do all these on a manual then you can easily do them in an auto.

[captainaudio]

,

[ByeFelicia]

Originally Posted by FrenchiedadSF

F80 manual is not a true manual, it is very heavily computer-assisted "manual", its half way driving PDK/DCT and true manual. Sorry for my two cents...

Wouldn't say its halfway to DCT but very true with it being heavily assisted. That's a fact.

[ByeFelicia]

Originally Posted by BMWModel3

That's what Sport+ is for

For sure, i'm aware as I responded that to the OP in my first post to him. Still, with this car, all you gotta do is ease off the clutch and it will roll with no throttle whatsoever. Wasn't the case in a friends 335 or any other manual Ive tried.

[Poochie]

BMW manuals have a anti-stall technology called 'clutch control,' like a motorcycle, so it automatically modulates the throttle, to help the vehicle from stalling, when you slowly lets off the clutch.

It's very easy and intuitive to use.


"Anti-Stall" feature? https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1478397

https://www.reddit.com/r/BMW/comment..._of_antistall/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutch_control

[gatorfast]

Honestly I wouldn't get on the road if I were you until you feel comfortable. It's not like you just need to make it a few miles up the road. 900 miles is a very long drive and you are sure to encounter some difficulty and perhaps safety issues. Not trying to be Debbie downer, just realistic for someone with zero manual experience as you say.

Everyone has been focusing on starting out in 1st/reverse with clutch engagement which is definitely a critical thing, especially if you encounter stop and go traffic. However, once moving there is still more too it such as simply understanding how a tachometer and gearing works and making sure you are in the appropriate gear for the circumstance and remembering to downshift if you slow down too much for the existing gear.

[CachacoF80]

Originally Posted by pbar

This is why, in the UK, if you take the driving test on an auto you get a license which doesn't allow you to drive a manual transmission car.

Awesome. I wish the DMV in CA had such rigor and standards. Anyone can get a license here and then own the left lane and look at their phones in the meantime.

[GT_Juls]

General rule of thumb is NEVER let go of the clutch unless you feel the car is moving at least a couple feet to get used to 1st gear. Slowly get to that catch point and let the car move a couple of feet so it gets hooked into gear and you won't stall. But best of luck, you picked the drivers package and you'll love every second of it once you get used to it.

[sprokai]

Originally Posted by brocurls

Can't wait for all the stalling, burnt clutch smell, honks, and middle fingers on my 900mi trek home from PCD.

Been "studying" Youtube videos and reading all the previous threads about noob 6mt tips/tricks, but I feel just as unprepared as my last college final 8 years ago.

You're doing PCD? Perfect. You'll get to beat on one of their cars before you get in your own. As others have said, see if you can get some access to a MT before you go so you won't be totally inexperienced. It'll be fine. It's not that hard. Enjoy the adventure!